Job Description

Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We're an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others. to watch our inspiring video to learn more about us!
You will be part of the North West & Central Region (NW&C) which consist of three routes - North West, Central and West Coast South - and a regional team supporting Regional Major Programmes & Professional services. You can learn more about our region here: .
In the North West & Central Region, we're proud to be building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We know that inclusive teams make better decisions, drive innovation, and help us create a safer, more accessible railway for everyone. Even if you don't meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. If you're passionate about making a difference and believe you have the skills or potential to thrive in this role, we'd love to hear from you. We're committed to creating an open, supportive environment where everyone feels they belong. Your unique perspective and experience could be exactly what we need to keep Britain moving safely and sustainably. Discover more about our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail .
We're also a employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.
Brief Description
As an HR Business Partner Support, you'll play a key role in turning our people strategy into action. Working closely with HR Business Partners across the region, you'll help deliver initiatives that strengthen our workforce, enhance performance, and support our teams to thrive.
This role offers an excellent opportunity to gain strategic HR experience in a complex, fast-moving organisation - ideal for someone looking to grow their HR career and make a real impact.
There are two opportunities available:

• 1 x 9-month fixed-term contract
• 1 x 6-month fixed-term contract

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About the role (External)
Every day will be different, but you can expect to:

• Support HR Business Partners with talent management, succession planning, and performance planning.
• Provide project management support - tracking progress, reporting outcomes, and communicating updates.
• Assist with organisational change programmes, helping to deliver these effectively across teams.
• Conduct research, analysis, and reporting to inform key HR initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve how HR supports the business.
• Maintain up-to-date professional HR knowledge.
• Take ownership of deliverables and provide ad hoc HR and administrative support as needed.

In order to be successful in this role, we would like you to have/to be

• Demonstrates strong customer service skills.

• Experience of working within a large, complex and fast-moving organisation.

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong time management, organisation and prioritisation skills and the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines.

• Resilient, Adaptable and Flexible.

• IT literate, strong excel, word and PowerPoint knowledge.

• Experience of event coordination and facilitation.

• Research and analytical skills.

• Strong relationship building skills.

• Experience of supporting the delivery of HR initiatives and projects.

We would also like but it isn't crucial to have/to be

• CIPD qualification or relevant HR support experience.

• Degree-level education (or equivalent experience).

How to apply (External)
Key Information
Salary: 27,000 - 32,000 depending on skills and experience.
Closing date: Wednesday 19 November 2025. Late applications will not be accepted. We may close the advert early if we receive a large volume of applicants.
Assessments: Tuesday 25 November 2025 in Milton Keynes (MK9 1EN). The four highest-scoring candidates will be invited to a 30-minute second-stage meeting with the hiring team on Thursday 27 November 2025.
Assessments will consist of both competency-based interview questions and an in-tray exercise to test basic Excel capabilities.
Anticipated start date: first week of January 2026.
As this is a role in a regional team, occasional travel across NW&C is required. Candidates should be comfortable with frequent travel to client sites, regional offices, or other business locations as needed.
For this role you need to live within 75/90 minutes of The Quadrant in Milton Keynes.
These are 6-month and 9-month fixed-term opportunities.
Click apply now to apply.
You can visit for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.
Network Rail Benefits

• 28 days annual leave (pro rata)
• A 35-hour-per-week contract with flexible working options available to help support your work-life balance
• Hybrid working where possible and enhanced family-friendly support
• Access to our employee assistance programme (free and confidential health and wellbeing support to you and your immediate family on work and personal issues)
• Take advantage of healthcare offers (including discounted healthcare club membership), discounted cycle hire, and online shopping sites

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Skills Required